Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-14
AN ADDRESS,.
-yr ,rr,rrurAL OF fHE cousrrru.
ION AID III P1oGRAHxS.
IA, william Writ Henry, o ,mmlssionsr
for'virginis, to the People
Of Virginia.
ra fhn Peoplc Of Vrginia :

To the People Of Virginia:
upon the invitation OF the Legisla-
iure of New Jersey q convention OF
Governors and Representatives OF the
thirteen Colonial States was held in
philadelphia September IL, 1886, in
cerpcpter's Hall, which determined to
;uanourate measures for the proper cell
eLIatiop in Philadelphia, in September,
1857. of Che centennial OF the framing
of the Constitution of the United States.
they requested commission to be ap--
uointed by the Governors OF the several
states and Territories to take charge of
The matter, and, in conjunction with
commission of the Council and citizens
of Philadelphia, perfect its details.
This has been done, and at meeting
held in Philadelphia December 2,
1856, they determined on a programme
consisting Of
]. An Grafton and poem commemora-
tive of the signing OF the Constitution.
2. A military display, in which there
should he represented the military and
naval service of the United States, aud
the militia and volunteer service of the
several States and Territories.
3. An industrial professional display.
4. The erection of suitable memo
rial in Philadelphia commemorative OF
the signing and adoption OF the Consti-
tuition, and of the progress of the M
ton since.
1t was further determined to invite
the representatives of the several de-
partmcnts OF the United States and
State governments, the various civic
organizations end associations OF the
Union, and the resident represents,
tiyes Of foreign governments to be pres
ent, and the celebration was fixed for
the 10Th, 10th, and 18th Of September,
1887.
The proposed celebration has re-
ceiyed the hearty approval of the Presi.
dent of the United States and OF the
Executives of the several States and
Territories, and several of the States
have made liberal appropriations in its
aid, foremost amongst which is thc
State of Pennsylvania.
Justice Miller, of the Supreme Court,
has consented to deliver the Grafton,
and the President has promised to be
present during the celebration.
It's success is assured, and it only re-
mains for me, the commissioner fol
Virginia, to ask that the State be pro
perly represented. The Governor Of
the State will arrange for the attend
apce Of presentation OF her military,
hit her citizens connected with her va
lious industries must arrange for hel
rloper representation in the proposed
Industrial display. The object of thi,
display will be to illustrate, in contrast
the customs, domestic characteristics,
commerce, arts, implements OF indus
Try, means of transportation, &c, DC,
of 1887 with those Of 1887. with a vie \
to give ocular demonstration of tht
changes and national progress made IL
the first century Of our constitutions
existence. This display, mounted OF
cars, and accompanied by various civic
organizations, promises to be most In
teresting. 1t is fixed for the 10Th o
September.
As the occasion will draw together I
large concourse of people from ever,
part of the country, it Will be not onl.
patriotic but wise IN the people OF Viz
einia to be July represented in all o
their industries.
No State can Justly claim more inter
est in the Constitution than Virginia
She proposed the convention tina
framed it. Her Washington preslde'
over the deliberations OF that celebrate,
body. Her Madison drafted, and he
delegation presented, the paper whicI
formed the framework OF the instru
ment which the influence of Washing
ton caused to be adopted by the State,
Her Marshall, as the great Chief Ju,
tice, first construed its provisions
and fixed the character OF the Gov
eminent. She furnished four OF tn
FIVE Executives who first guided th
destinies of the Federal Union, An
her statesmen have ever aimed to prov
their patriotism by their devotion t
constitutional government. Even til
gigantic civil war waged during tb
century was entered upon by Virginl
from devotion to the principles OF til
Constitution as she understood them.
To-day the State is behind none
her devotion to that wonderful instr
ment, the product in such great me-
sure of her statesmen, and has no HOP
for prosperity in the future, as she hi
had none in the past, except by stri
| II IN ita ,Nrnvtsinnc
The whole British empire is now r
ioicing in the completion of fifty yea
of the reign of a good Queen. Ho
much more reason have We to rejoice
the completion of one hundred yea
of constitutional government in tn
land, under which our growth at
prosperity has been without parall
, in the history of the world. and v
have demonstrated the capacity OF ma
{ for self-government.
: Virginia was foremost in franit
/ constitutional government. Let her
properly represented on this occasio
when the nation will honor her wor
Persons or organizations wishing
d. take part in the civic and industri
l display will address A. London Sno'
den, Esq, 907 Walnut street, Philad'
\ phia: and all others desiring inform
r ton will address Hampton l.. Carso
: Esq, secretary. at the same addres
I who will give all needful informatit
t and assistance.
I WILLIAM Writ HENRY,
: Commissioner for Virginia,
|. Richmond, Va.
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